[MGSA-L] St. Mamas' Church bombed

Fri Aug 27 08:08:54 PDT 2004

The suggestion that "the people who bombed [St. Mamas' Church] have exactly the same mentality as the Greek Cypriots who have been
attempting to prevent the service from taking place there, such as the Greek-Cypriot Mayor of Morphou..." is unfortunate, inasmuch as
excessive, groundless and unfitting.  The sheer and indiscriminate bashing of all those who raise legitimate questions and concerns about
the substance and workability of the latest version of the Annan Plan as "No propagandists" is reminiscent of the righteous crusader
mentality pursuant to the doctrine "you are either with us or against us."

To set the record straight, DIKO deputy and former Morphou Mayor Antigoni Papadopoulou has made the following statements on the record:

-- "Going back, even for worshiping, by showing our passports, is wrong"

-- "Emotionally though, I would like to be present at the celebrations for the Saint of Morphou"

-- "My inalienable right to return as the legitimate citizen is the reason for my struggle. To return either as a worshipper or a tourist
to my home, I think that it is something temporary that does not contribute to our final goal." [Excerpted from an article by Jean
Christou titled "Morphou church services to restart -- Cautious response to bishop's initiative to host first religious service for 30
years," which was published in Cyprus Mail on August 18th, 2004. Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2004] http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/

As for the equally non-extremist views of the current Morphou mayor, Mr. Charalambos Pittas, they are encapsulated in the article below.
[Excerpted from Cyprus News on-line in accordance with 'Fair Use' Copyright © 1994-2003 Kypros-Net, Incorporated.]

***************************************************************************
Cyprus government condemns St. Mamas bomb attack

Nicosia, Aug 27 (CNA) -- The Cypriot government has denounced the bomb attack early this morning against the Church of Agios Mamas in the
Turkish-occupied town of Morphou.

At the same time, Morphou Mayor Charalambos Pittas has expressed regret, sorrow and anger at the bomb attack against the church expected
to reopen in celebration of the saints name day on 1-2 September, for the first time since the 1974 Turkish invasion and occupation.

The government, through its Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides, said it condemns with abhorrence the bomb attack against Agios Mamas in
Morphou, as well as all kinds of terrorist and bomb attacks which aim at poisoning the climate of tranquility which is necessary in
pursuing the final aim of a solution and reunification of Cyprus.

In a written statement, the Spokesman said the Cyprus government expresses regret over the damage and destruction caused to the church,
which is a significant monument of our historical and cultural heritage.

The Morphou Mayor told CNA I feel sad, annoyed and furious because the desecration of our few remaining holy sites in the occupied areas
continues by extremists.

He said such actions are against Cyprus and its people as a whole.

Pittas stressed that in the light of today's criminal act, the services at the church should solely have a religious nature and should not
be exploited by anyone, neither those who supported yes or no during April's referenda for a Cyprus settlement".

The Morphou Mayor said that the issue of the pilgrims security is something which always concerned his municipality but is now more
imperative.

There are things which can be done by our leadership because 30 years after the invasion and occupation, the international community
cannot remain passive and maintain a guilty silence at all things that are happening in the occupied areas, said Pittas.

***************************************************************************

Mention should be made of an earlier incident on 5/17/2003 in which "Turkish Cypriot police burst into the St. Mamas' Church in Morphou
shouting for Greek Orthodox Bishop Neophytos of Morphou to "get out" during a service as he was chanting 'Christos Anesti' -- Christ is
Risen." http://www.turkishdailynews.com/old_editions/05_17_03/for2.htm

No doubt, inter-communal confidence building measures ought to be encouraged and also, be keenly pursued in earnest.  But these ought to
develop gradually and in a tangible way, as a naturally occurring process in which members from both communities would reach for each
other in a sober spirit of atonement and reconciliation.  Instead, what we are in fact witnessing in this connection is a rash attempt
towards a thin and unimpressive, albeit politically expedient 'rapprochement' in the face of poor fundamentals, countless and formidable
obstacles, as well as plenty of baggage.  And all these under the might of the Attila's sword and with the eyes on the prize:  The
anxiously anticipated 'October 2004 report' and the 'December 2004 decision'...

C.D.K.

Despina Christodoulou wrote:

> Yes, and the people who bombed it have exactly the same mentality as
> the Greek Cypriots who have been attempting to prevent the service
> from taking place there, such as the Greek-Cypriot Mayor of Morphou
> and Church critics such as the Bishop of Kyrenia. The Turkish
> nationalist bombers and the Greek Cypriots attempting to prevent the
> service at St Mamas were all opposed to the Annan Plan. The Bishop of
> Morphou - who came out bravely in favour of the Annan Plan - and the
> Greek-Cypriot rapprochement organisation behind attempts to revive
> the service at St Mamas have been vociferously criticised by
> Greek-Cypriot "no" propagandists for their attempts to hold the
> service at Morphou. Perhaps if they really want to show their
> resistance to such bomb attacks, then they should attend the Orthodox
> service to be held there next week instead of condemning it.
>
> D.C.
>
> >Reports indicate that the Greek Orthodox St. Mamas' Church and
> >Monastic complex in the Turkish-occupied Morphou (Güzelyurt) was
> >bombed on the eve of the upcoming mass to be held on 8/30 after 30
> >years
> ><http://www.turkishpress.com/turkishpress/news.asp?ID=25661>http://www.turkishpress.com/turkishpress/news.asp?ID=25661
> ><http://www.hurriyetim.com.tr/haber/0,,sid~1@w~3@nvid~460260,00.asp>http://www.hurriyetim.com.tr/haber/0,,sid~1@w~3@nvid~460260,00.asp
> ><http://www.phileleftheros.com/main/main.asp?gid=334&id=273796>http://www.phileleftheros.com/main/main.asp?gid=334&id=273796
> >
> >C.D.K.
> >
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
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